Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Korean photo, book and art exhibitions opened with due ceremony in Artyom city, Russia and a city, Slovenia on April 7 and 9 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun (birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung).

Displayed at the exhibitions were portraits of smiling Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and photos documenting their exploits.

Also on display there were works of peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu, books introducing Songun Korea and art pieces associated with the talents of the Korean people.

The mayor of Artyom city in his speech said that Kim Il Sung liberated the country and founded the DPRK.

He went on:

The DPRK achieved rapid development under his leadership in a short span of time and turned into a socialist power of independence, self-support and self-reliance.

The Russia-DPRK friendly relations are developing in various fields under the care of President Putin and supreme leader Kim Jong Un.

We will make positive efforts to expand and develop cooperation with the DPRK in various fields.

Personages including the chairman of the Slovenian preparatory committee for celebrating the Day of the Sun praised the revolutionary life of Kim Il Sung, who devoted his all to the prosperity of the country, happiness of the people and the sacred global cause of independence.

The Korean people will surely achieve the cause of building a thriving nation under Kim Jong Un's Songun revolutionary leadership.